Chinchilla State High SchoolLearning together for a happy and productive future

7 Tara Rd, PO Box 195CHINCHILLA QLD 4413

Office Hours 8.15 am - 4.00 pmPhone 4672 9333

Website www.chinchillashs.eq.edu.auEmail admin@chinchillashs.eq.edu.au

Issue 920 August 2020

Athletics was conducted a little differently this year: instead of many weeks of lunchtime events we kept

it to two lunchtimes and two full days. Feedback from the students was that it was so much better, and I feel the participation numbers were fantastic!

Starting with a windy cold day Monday Week 5 for the 1500m races, and having nearly 50 students involved was amazing. 800m events on Wednesday had more numbers again, taking extra time than expected to complete but with some super quick times. The Javelin and Discus high risk events were all completed on the Thursday – thanks to the parents that completed the high risk notes to allow your child to be involved. A special mention must go to the massive throw at Javelin by Tom Watson – he let it soar over 40m!

Many students putted weighted balls of metal, as well as jumped high, long and in combination with a hop and a step, giving their best efforts in the beautiful weather over the Thursday and Friday. The sprints were hotly contested and the iPad was required to assist determining the photo finishes. Participants got involved in dressing up in their house colours and costumes of gold, maroon, sky blue and teal to cheer and encourage each other with fabulous displays of team spirit, perseverance and sportsmanship.

The relays, again, had high levels of participation and took us right up until the end of the school day, leaving

suspense for the Age Champions and House Champion announcements.

Congratulations to all who got involved and contributed to the House point score, and to the age champions for achieving high standards across numerous events.

Congratulations to Wheeler House who dominated in the participation!

Thank you to the parents that came along and spectated, adhering to our COVID policy of no parents on school grounds during the school hours and remaining outside the school boundary. Your support is always appreciated.

Mrs Jacinta MeadActing Junior Secondary Head of Year

WHEELER WINS

Age Champions

Girls Boys

12 years Rachelle Cann (Evans) Jack Ruddiman (Atkins)

13 years Ella Waters (Atkins) Riley Lankowski (Atkins)

14 years Sophie Bender (Atkins) Tyran Henningsen (Wheeler)

15 years Lilly Taylor (Wheeler)Angus Pascoe (Black) Aiden Cox (Atkins)

16 years Chloe Ellem (Evans) Thomas Lenihan (Wheeler)

17 years Christina Jones (Evans) Matthew Jackson (Atkins)

18-19 years Jaimee Walsh (Atkins) Joh Dickman (Evans)

House Points Score

1st Wheeler 1520

2nd Atkins 1449

3rd Evans 1365

4th Black 965

WHEELER WINS

What's Happening

August

24 P&C Meeting

September

4 Student Free Day

18 Cross Country

Last Day Term 3

From the PrincipalDear parents, students, staff and community supporters,

Yesterday we hosted “Young Women in Science” at our school. We had five high profile women in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics fields talk to our Year 9 and 10 girls. Dr Joni Sytsma has a Master’s of Science in Aero-Space Engineering and has had an interesting career ranging from working in the US Air Force, the Australian Defence working on Hypersonic International Flight Research and then finally at Gilmour Space Technologies developing the guidance navigational control system for Gilmour’s orbital launch system. Very cool.

Our second speaker was Dr Lucy Watt who is a research fellow with the CSIRO. Lucy spoke to us about how she made the most of opportunities that came her way from working around Australia and through a stint in the USA. Lucy gave us an interesting insight into her work in researching livestock-forage systems. Her talk created many questions amongst our girls.

Jeannie Sawka who has a degree in mechanical Engineering and works for Origin talked about her role in a male-dominated field and inspired our girls not to listen to those who say no you cannot, but to follow your passion.

Gabriella Behr is a Contracts Administrator for Newlands Group in Toowoomba. Gabby is working full-time and studying a Bachelor of Construction Management. Gabby is a very confident young woman who gave great advice to our students.

Finally, we had our very own past student Steph Usher.

Steph Gave a heartfelt talk about her time going to Brisbane and University and then back home. Steph said that when you are working out what you want to do with your life that you need to focus on your strengths and what you enjoy doing. What great advice.

What made this forum even more special is that we had nine other schools join us via zoom. It is just not possible for our western schools to be able to provide an experience like this, so we set-up virtual rooms so they could participate. Students from all schools then had the opportunity to ask questions and they asked some really difficult ones.

As normal, our girls were all just so beautifully behaved and really were inspired by listening to our presenters.

Last week, we had our Athletics Carnival. What a brilliant day. I congratulated the students on Tuesday for the way they participated in the days. They worked well with our staff who also had a brilliant day. Huge thanks to Mrs Mead for organising the carnival and to all of the staff who assisted on the day. Without them, we just could not have the standard of carnival that we have.

This week we have also had Junior Secondary Showcase with Year 6s from the Primary schools attending and finishing off with a parent information evening. Again Mrs Mead, the staff and the junior leaders have done a great job of showcasing the great things that are happening at Chinchilla State High School.

Have a great week.Regards

Mr Ian Insley

QCAA invigilators for external assessment

The QCAA appoints members of the Queensland community to observe and report on the administration of external assessment sessions at secondary schools and approved assessment venues throughout Queensland. Invigilators play an important role in promoting public confidence in the new QCE system and ensure that proper and fair administration procedures are implemented.Applications are now open for you to apply: Invigilators are required to • Attend allocated assessment sessions

at the prescribed venues• Observe and report on the administration

of assessment and the collection, counting and packing of materials at the conclusion of assessments.

To be eligible to apply community members must:• hold a blue card or an exemption card• be at least 18 years of age• be eligible to work in Australia• have photographic ID• have a personal email address• have a mobile phone• have access to a computer, the internet

and a printer • supply names and contact details of two

refereesNOTE: before applying, community members should read the Position description: Invigilators and Invigilator frequently asked questions available atwww.qcaa.qld.edu.au/senior/assessment/external-assessment/qcaa-invigilators.

Coordinated by Zonta eClub of Queensland and Origin Energy, and proudly supported by the Department of Education Darling Downs South West Region, Chinchilla State High School hosted the Young Women in Science event, which was organised to highlight STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) careers available to women. Our Year 9 and 10 girls were the target audience, and they were in for a real treat.The original idea was to have young women in our high school attend a forum whereby they hear female professionals in various STEM fields tell their story. Never wanting schools outside regional Brisbane to miss out on events that give our students a richer experience, Mr Insley extended the welcome and invited other schools in our region to join our event, virtually. With a lot of work from Intelligence by Design and our school technology man, Mr Ganley, the event was enjoyed by young ladies from Miles State High School, Tara Shire State College, Wallambilla P-10 State School, St George State High School, Dirranbandi P-10 State School, Nanango State High School, Cairns School of Distance Education and St John’s School in Roma, too. This has been a first as the technology set-up enabled students from all around our district, and further, to participate in this event, and has shown us the way for possible future events.The guest speakers included Dr Joni Sytsma, who has a Masters of Science in Aero-Space Engineering. Dr Sytsma is currently in charge of developing the guidance navigational control system for Gilmour’s orbital launch system, Eris. Dr Lucy Watt is a postdoctoral research fellow at Australia’s national research agency, CSIRO. She is continuing her PhD studies on sheep production and novel pasture legumes and is now researching sustainable livestock-forage systems. Jeannie Sawka is working as a Drilling and Completions Engineer in the gas fields in the Western Downs after joining Origin Energy’s graduate program in APLNG. Gabriella Behr has a passion for construction and is currently studying a Bachelor of Construction Management through CQ University. Previously, Gabriella was a Contract Site Administrator at Wagner Corporation working on the Qantas Group Pilot Academy Project in Toowoomba and was working on the $40 million redevelopment of the Rose City Shoppingworld. Finally, ex-student Steph Usher is completing her first year Electrical and Instrumentation apprenticeship with Origin Energy.After the guest speakers, students were invited to participate in a Q & A segment allowing their curiosities to be extended through asking questions from our guest speakers. The wide variety of occupations allowed all of the students to take home something, leaving them richer in knowledge for the experience. I would like to acknowledge our students who contributed on the day to make this event a little more ‘home-grown’, including a few of our Seniors. Jaimee and Alisha, hosted the event, while Joh, Lachlan and Seth were busy helping with the cameras supporting the technology plan. TJ and Shaquana gave the Acknowledgement to Country. We had a number of guests in attendance and it was widely agreed that the event was a success for our students. The students took advantage of the adults in the room and networked with them towards the end, getting further opportunity to ask questions and seek some further dialogue around the various STEM opportunities. It has been gratifying to see people come together to contribute to this very successful event, for our students.

Miss Jackie BeckMaths/Science Head of Department

Young Women in Sciences – STEM Event to celebrate Science Week

PBL CornerThe students were amazing in their behaviour and participation during the Athletics Carnival last week. Students should now be focusing on knuckling down into assignments and studying. Don’t forget our end of term rewards activity is fast approaching. For students to participate in this ‘Hot Chips and Gravy Event’, they need at least 25 TEAM Player Points and either ‘Very Good’ or ‘Excellent’ in ‘Behaviour’ and ‘Effort’ in all classes. Something very achievable by all students. Many are working towards this, which is great to see.

Last week’s PBL focus was:Be ResponsibleLearning Environments Line up outside classrooms and enter

and exit quietly

This week’s PBL focus is:Be RespectfulAll Settings Always follow staff instructions

Next week’s PBL focus is:Be SafeAll Settings Always follow road rules Walk bikes and scooters to and from

racks Seek staff assistance immediately in

case of accidents and emergenciesLearning Environment Follow specific safety rules in the labs

and workshopsThank you for all your support and encouraging students to be good young people in society.

Ms NewtonPBL Team Member

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